Tuesday June 15, 2010
Boulder, California
Finally........ Sun!
Yes! Sun and lots of it. First time since I left for vacation...
So I started my vacation to Boulder by flying to Denver Thursday. It was one of the scariest plane rides I've ever been on. Very turbulent. So much so that we all had to put our PCs away for the last 1.5 hours of the 2.2 hour flight. I had a window seat and the skies were clear. Captain said a storm was brewing around the Rockies thus the turbulence. Anyhow, I was glad we made it. Got my bags in time to catch the 415pm bus to Boulder. There was a promotion going on from the RTD so my bus ride was free. Felt very hot and humid but about 20 minutes into the ride the skies turned gray and then hail! The bus driver didn't seem to mind and kept on going. Some of the hail were pretty big - the size of golf balls. Made it to Boulder in about an hour and my sister and 10 year old nephew picked me up. The skies were pretty dark with the winds picking me up when I arrived. My sister said in the car, " We are expecting rain for the next 5 days!". So it must be me. Every time I come to Boulder the weather turns. Last time I was here, when I arrived it was in the 70s which turned into a blizzard by the night time. This time, no blizzard but we experienced 5 days of rain, hail, thunder and lightening. We took it easy on Thursday by picking up some Thai food and had an early night while listening to the thunder. One lightening even hit close to the house as it was loud!
Very Turbulent flight but outside the skies were clear.
The next morning, Friday, June 11 was deceptively sunny. The first activity was to attend my nephews last assembly of the year. It was a very nice ceremony. My nephews go to the Waldorf school and they have a tradition where at the first day of school the seniors welcome the first graders with a rose. On the last day of school year, the first graders send off the seniors with a song, rose and a big hug. It was so cute!
After the ceremony, it started raining again and continued raining the whole day. I planned on hiking the multiple trails that surrounds my sister's house but instead, we decided to have a late lunch with the kids at Agave as they got out early for the last day of school. They make a fabulous pico de gallo as they used roasted tomato and also are known for the molcajetes. Molcajetes are the stone mortar and pestle tool from Mexico used to grind spices. It is also used as serving dishes for stews as the stone keeps the stews hot. So I had a spicy green stew filled with Mexican cheese, chicken and cactus. Pretty good but hard to eat!
And since Friday nite was game 4 of the Lakers/Celtics game, we just had leftovers and watched the game. Unfortunately the Lakers lost but I have to say the Celtics played an amazing game filled with energy.
The last assembly of the school my nephews go to: Shiny Mountain Waldorf School. The seniors and 1st graders together.
Agave: Roasted tomato pico de gallo made table side
Guacamole made table side
Molcajete
Saturday started again with rain so no hiking. Instead my sister and I went to the Farmers Market in the rain to pick up ingredients for the gourmet dinner I was making for Jackson. My sister, husband an Billy (my 15 year old nephew) were going to graduation ceremonies today so it will only be Jackson and I. Jackson requested I make a buttery steak with mashed potatoes and a 3 tiered chocolate mousse cake recipe he found in Cook's Illustrated magazine. I blogged about making the cake here.
Bought some local aged grass fed rib eye steaks for only 12.99 per pound and some veggies but ended up doing most of the shopping at the local Whole Foods store. I was careful to read the labels though so I knew exactly where the veggies came from. (ABC News did a story on Whole Foods about misleading the customers on the origins of the food).
Since it was pouring rain again, and Bill, my brother -in -law had errands, we decided to take the kids for an early lunch to Mustard's Last Stand which is known for their Viennese Hot Dogs. Since we were there at 11am, there were no crowds and we were able to get seated immediately. Also, we saw the first signs of World Cup Fever. A bunch of kids waving the American flag were heading to a sports bar to see the World Cup. Back at Mustard's, Billy had 4 hot dogs! Jackson restrained himself as he was having a huge steak for dinner and only had 1 hot dog. When we got out the rain stopped a bit but the temperatures dropped considerably.
When we got home, Billy and I attempted a hike with Zuma, as the skies cleared but 10 minutes into the hike it started raining again. So so much for that! I returned home with Zuma and Billy went to his BFF Andrew's house. Which was OK as I was able to see the World Cup match of USA vs England and we tied!! England was supposed to cream USA. We've never won a World Cup Game so keeping fingers crossed that we will this time.
Billy, Kim and Bill took off to attend graduation ceremonies and parties, while Jackson and I cooked dinner, baked a cake and watched movies. Jackson wanted to sleep in my room so we arranged a futon by my bed but it wasn't comfortable enough for him so we moved his mattress into my room with the futon over it. He said it was the fluffiest bed ever! We were both sound asleep by 1030pm.
Billy, Zuma and I attempting a hike during a lull. But it was a short lull and the skies opened up shortly after I took this photo.
Rain, rain and more rain
World Cup Fever arrives in Boulder. Kids on the way to see the USA vs England match
Mustard's Last Stand
Billy with his 4 Chicago Style Dogs
Which he finished 10 minutes later
Jackson was good and only had one Chili Cheese Dog as he was having a 16oz steak for dinner.
Temperatures dropped significantly although Jackson tried to brave it
And Boulder Creek was overflowing and raging
On Sunday, it still was raining so we decided to do something touristy. We decided to do the Celestial Seasonings Tour. Although now owned by Hainz Corporation, it was actually started by two hippies during the Era of Love (late 60s) in Boulder. They picked herbs from the mountains, packaged them in muslin bags and sold them on the streets. Today it is the largest producer of specialty teas in America. What happened to the founders? Not sure, it seems the CEO of Hainz has a huge ego so he wants to be the center of the story.
The tour was interesting but would have been more exciting if we went on a weekday as the machines would have been working. But I learned some interesting facts about tea: All teas (green, white and black) come from the Camellia family. It's the processing that makes it green, white and black. White is rare because the leaves used for the tea only are available for about 1 week of the year. Also, all the art work on Celestial Teas packaging is designed by artists. There is a gallery of the artwork and some very interesting tea pots in the visitor center. Also, the gift shop is one of the best gift shops I've been too. Not only does it carry all the different Celestial Teas but also T-shirts, tea pots, mugs etc. The highlight of the tour though was the Mint Room. It is in the Mint Room where mint is stored in Burlap Bags. It is housed in a special room as the odor is so strong that it can affect the taste and smell of the teas. We went into the mint room and as you walk in your eyes start watering but your sinuses do start to clear. Quite an unique experience.
After the tour, we had a quick lunch at Panera and headed back to get ready for game 5 of the Lakers/Celtics basketball game. We made hamburgers, home made potato salad, and home made onion rings. The rain stopped for a bit, so Bill barbecued the burgers and finished on time before yet another down pour. Unfortunately, the Lakers lost again so things are looking good. But I'm turning into a Celtics fan as wow, they play with so much heart! Andrew, Billy's friend joined us for dinner and the game. Andrew's parents and Aunt, joined us for dessert and a game of Whoonu. So rainy Sunday turned into a fun Sunday!
Celestial Seasonings: The artwork from one of their most popular teas: Sleepy Time
Instead of tickets, we get a package of teas. We were on the 1230pm Blueberry Tour
The original sewing machine used for making the tea bags
The Gift Store
The Herb Gardens
While I was cooking dinner, Jackson turned his "bed" in my room into a tent. That is where he will be sleeping during my stay in Boulder
Billy (the tall one) and his BFF Andrew
Monday, still raining. Jackson and I have started spending mornings an Amante where I have my Chai Latte and Jackson has his breakfast. It's actually quite fun as World Cup games are broadcast and the whole crowd gets into it. On Monday, we saw the Japan Cameroon game where Japan won their 1st World Cup game outside Japan! So exciting.
Again, couldn't get a hike in so instead we had healthy and fabulous lunch at Mod Market went back home for a rest. Billy had to get ready for his first rock concert "Iron Maiden" and Bill had basketball to coach. So Jackson, Kim and I went to the movies. We saw A-Team which was fun! Jackson got into it. Afterward we had dinner at Jackson's favorite restaurant Laudisio and called it an early night (well, at least I did!).
Breakfast at Amante: Jackson playing games on my MAC while I watch the World Cup
Lunch at Mod Market: Jackson has a full size Steak Pizza
And pretty much finished it
I had the 1/2 size Mediterranean Pizza which was delicious (pesto, olives, feta cheese)
Dinner at Laudisio: Fettuccine with truffles
Pasta Carbonara
Jackson's favorite: Chicken Ravioli
And finally, today Monday, SUNSHINE! Off to Estes Park and some outdoors activities!! Yeah!!
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